It doesn't require much of contemplation from my side to figure out what my passion is, and that is exactly why it is my passion. i am passionate about three things;
a) ACTING. this is the one my friends are familiar with. with all due respect to all the other art forms, i personally think acting is the toughest of all{ atleast in comparison to the ones i have tried}......maybe thats why i am in love with it. i not only love to act but to observe others act{not mimic but seriously act]as well . my first ever ambition in life { first one because i too like others have changed a dozen of them with every passing day, read assignment/test} was to become an actor, a film actor. after being fed up of picturing myself as a doctor, a scientist, an air-hostess, an entrepreneur and an engineer, am back to square one.
i do campus theatre along with my journalism course in DU. it is a real struggle to manage them together, to explain to my friends that i have to, have to go for practice when they insist on spending time together, to live with the fact that college life for me can't be anything more than academics and theatre practice, to face objections from my father every day,every moment, and to still continue to move on. i guess this is the least i could do to live my passion, yes,my passion, for what else can i fight so much?
b)CREATING THINGS AND IMAGES. this one's my newly discovered passion. i have always loved to create/make things. i have always created images in my mind consciously and made my imaginations run like wild horses to create some more.little did i know that a habit of mine will transform into a passion.it can be anything ,a scene for a play, a design, a simple sketch, a poem, a dish, a video, a photograph, just anything. the satisfaction one gets after creating something is just so......satisfying.
c}PERFECTON: i strive to become a perfectionist. i donot settle for things easily. since childhood i have had this 'keeda' to do anything and everything with perfection, no matter how long it may take to complete the task. it took me a lot more than to just do the stuff on my own( because no idiot would follow such rigid instructions from someone who's just giving rigid instructions}, i had to organise myself to a great extent. i may appear to be like an 80 year old, but cant help it. i can say it is my passion because , for this,i dont even mind to appear like an 80 year old.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Sunday, September 14, 2008
DELHI'S SEX RATIO GETS WORSE
{source: article by Rumu Banerjee; TOI, 4 sept,2008}
Delhi doesn't want girls to be born in its families. Seems too strong a statement, but unfortunately this is explicit from the recent studies on female foeticide. With a sex ratio of 762 girls to 1000 boys {lancet research,2007} Delhi's declining acceptance to girl child is indicative to the city's inability to get rid of old mindsets.
'Meri shakti meri beti' , a study on female foeticide conducted by Centre for Social Research (CSR) for the ministry of health and family welfare and ministry of women and child development have found out some soul stirring facts. The three localities selected for study Punjabi Bagh, Narela and Najafgarh have the lowest sex ratio in the city {842, 828, 841 girls per 1000 boys respectively}.
Incidents or knowledge of sex selective abortions or female foeticide going by the responcesis a high 69.9% in Narela, 55% in Punjabi Bagh and 11.5% in Najafgarh.
A healthy 18.3% of people in Najafgarh and 26% in Narela even take medication to ensure that a son is born.
57.8% people in Punjabi Bagh are willing to observe religious ceremonies to get a male child.
India has lost over 10 million girls to female foeticide in the last 20 years.
the 2001 census figure for Delhi is 886 girls per 1000 boys. The national figure is 927/1000.
The study with a sample size of 1200 respondents and 55 medical units comprising ultrasound clinics and MTP clinics, showcased findings that are similar across both class and social standing. Whether its the lower classes or the rich, neither want a girl child. 38% in Punjabi Bagh, 71% in Narela and 13.5% in Najafgarh say old customs and family traditions are main reasons for male child preference. Economic compulsions like dowry, education, and lack of support in old age from girls as well as last rites being a boy's prerogative were also cited.
Majority of sex selective abortions are performed by doctors/nurses of private clinics and informal rural practitioners or quacks. though clinics have denied incidents, community people have named 2-3 clinics and nursing homes in each area.
People are aware of female foeticide being an illegal activity but not aware of Pre-conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act. Some are even unaware of the anti-sex determination act.
There is only one recorded complaint against sex determination that CSR claims has been made till date.
Delhi doesn't want girls to be born in its families. Seems too strong a statement, but unfortunately this is explicit from the recent studies on female foeticide. With a sex ratio of 762 girls to 1000 boys {lancet research,2007} Delhi's declining acceptance to girl child is indicative to the city's inability to get rid of old mindsets.
'Meri shakti meri beti' , a study on female foeticide conducted by Centre for Social Research (CSR) for the ministry of health and family welfare and ministry of women and child development have found out some soul stirring facts. The three localities selected for study Punjabi Bagh, Narela and Najafgarh have the lowest sex ratio in the city {842, 828, 841 girls per 1000 boys respectively}.
Incidents or knowledge of sex selective abortions or female foeticide going by the responcesis a high 69.9% in Narela, 55% in Punjabi Bagh and 11.5% in Najafgarh.
A healthy 18.3% of people in Najafgarh and 26% in Narela even take medication to ensure that a son is born.
57.8% people in Punjabi Bagh are willing to observe religious ceremonies to get a male child.
India has lost over 10 million girls to female foeticide in the last 20 years.
the 2001 census figure for Delhi is 886 girls per 1000 boys. The national figure is 927/1000.
The study with a sample size of 1200 respondents and 55 medical units comprising ultrasound clinics and MTP clinics, showcased findings that are similar across both class and social standing. Whether its the lower classes or the rich, neither want a girl child. 38% in Punjabi Bagh, 71% in Narela and 13.5% in Najafgarh say old customs and family traditions are main reasons for male child preference. Economic compulsions like dowry, education, and lack of support in old age from girls as well as last rites being a boy's prerogative were also cited.
Majority of sex selective abortions are performed by doctors/nurses of private clinics and informal rural practitioners or quacks. though clinics have denied incidents, community people have named 2-3 clinics and nursing homes in each area.
People are aware of female foeticide being an illegal activity but not aware of Pre-conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act. Some are even unaware of the anti-sex determination act.
There is only one recorded complaint against sex determination that CSR claims has been made till date.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
ACTIVITY
Name : Kalpana Mondol
Sex : female
Age : 26years
Occupation: domestic help
Education: not educated
Common ailments suffered from: headache, back ache, stomach pain/infection
Treatment: goes to a private clinic nearby
Cost of treatment: rs40-50
Marital Status: married
Children : daughter: 4years , son: 6years
Ailments children suffer from: cold, cough, fever
Treatment: from the same private clinic
Education of children: not educated
Does she want her children to be educated: yes, Kalpana wants her children to study and had also tried to get them enrolled in a school ,but, the schools, she complains, are all Hindi medium, a language neither she nor her relatives know. moreover she is a Bangladeshi immigrant and does not hold a ration card which makes it even more difficult.
Knowledge about the fee structure: has no idea about the fees.
Sex : female
Age : 26years
Occupation: domestic help
Education: not educated
Common ailments suffered from: headache, back ache, stomach pain/infection
Treatment: goes to a private clinic nearby
Cost of treatment: rs40-50
Marital Status: married
Children : daughter: 4years , son: 6years
Ailments children suffer from: cold, cough, fever
Treatment: from the same private clinic
Education of children: not educated
Does she want her children to be educated: yes, Kalpana wants her children to study and had also tried to get them enrolled in a school ,but, the schools, she complains, are all Hindi medium, a language neither she nor her relatives know. moreover she is a Bangladeshi immigrant and does not hold a ration card which makes it even more difficult.
Knowledge about the fee structure: has no idea about the fees.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
COMBATTING MATERNAL MORTALITY THROUGH AIR WAVES
In India, particularly in rural areas ,timely medical attention still remains a challenge for pregnant women, which is inevitably leading to increasing rate of maternal mortality. Lack of awareness on recognition of danger signs during pregnancy, issue of conveyance, poor accessibility to proper medical facilities, general callousness and ignorance, and poverty are primarily the reasons for its increase.
10% of maternal deaths in India occur in Madhya Pradesh. though the government of Madhya Pradesh has launched several schemes to promote institution deliveries and to combat the problem, focussing specially on women below the poverty line and the ones belonging to sc/st. Media is also trying to do its bit to spread awareness regarding this issue.
All India Radio with its vast network in the state used airwaves for the cause and addressed issues of women's health. AIR used its news network to give voice to state and civil society on this issue. News pertaining to government proclamations, schemes and events took the forefront but the news network also relayed the statements of experts and people working on this issue. content analysis of june 2006 to feb 2007 AIR news reports support the fact that the issue was in focus and was spread evenly.
Having a strong presence in the state specially in the rural areas, AIR ran a 15 to 20 minutes episodes in the form of series. 35 such programmes each of which had a local expert and often a medical professional to answer the listener's questions. It provided information on how to recognize the danger signs during pregnancy, on their nutritional care and emphasized on institutionalized deliveries.
In some of the programmes political representatives were present to answer the questions raised by the people. for the first time the issue of maternal health was addressed in this forum.
10% of maternal deaths in India occur in Madhya Pradesh. though the government of Madhya Pradesh has launched several schemes to promote institution deliveries and to combat the problem, focussing specially on women below the poverty line and the ones belonging to sc/st. Media is also trying to do its bit to spread awareness regarding this issue.
All India Radio with its vast network in the state used airwaves for the cause and addressed issues of women's health. AIR used its news network to give voice to state and civil society on this issue. News pertaining to government proclamations, schemes and events took the forefront but the news network also relayed the statements of experts and people working on this issue. content analysis of june 2006 to feb 2007 AIR news reports support the fact that the issue was in focus and was spread evenly.
Having a strong presence in the state specially in the rural areas, AIR ran a 15 to 20 minutes episodes in the form of series. 35 such programmes each of which had a local expert and often a medical professional to answer the listener's questions. It provided information on how to recognize the danger signs during pregnancy, on their nutritional care and emphasized on institutionalized deliveries.
In some of the programmes political representatives were present to answer the questions raised by the people. for the first time the issue of maternal health was addressed in this forum.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
A ( HIV) POSITIVE STORY
-excerpts from a story by Ananthakrishnan G, TNN
We have read, heard and known of people with HIV positive being ostracised by the society, discriminated against at workplaces and educational institutions, looked on with distaste even in hospitals, and being subjected to such injustices which can lead a person to lose his/her sanity. With regard to these stories, it is evident that Indians are yet to come in terms with the idea of morally supporting the people affected and to learn to live and let live.
But on the flip side of the coin, there are people and organisations who are trying to safeguard the interests of the people affected,the number of whom has been on an all-time increase. Not only the NGOs, but the states are also trying to do their bit. Kerala became the first Indian state on august12,2008; to reserve a government job for HIV positive candidates, marking a new sensitivity for those afflicted with the killer virus.
The Kerala State Aids Control Society(KSACS) announced that it had reserved a vacancy in its office for HIV positive candidates with a hope that the presence of such a person will improve coordination and communication with groups at risk and ensure effective prevention.
They have issued advertisements inviting applications for the post of coordinator, People Living With HIV/AIDS (PLHA), only from candidates who are HIV positive. Earlier, they had set this as a desirable factor and then they decided to change it to an essential one.
Kerala now has drop-in-centres which work to facilitate grouping or association of people with HIV/AIDS. "The belief is that when they come together, they would get to share their problems and it would be a great relaxing factor." says Usha Titus, KSACS project director and special secretary, health.
Hopefully this a reservation which will not drag in the unceasing debate of merits and fairness.
We have read, heard and known of people with HIV positive being ostracised by the society, discriminated against at workplaces and educational institutions, looked on with distaste even in hospitals, and being subjected to such injustices which can lead a person to lose his/her sanity. With regard to these stories, it is evident that Indians are yet to come in terms with the idea of morally supporting the people affected and to learn to live and let live.
But on the flip side of the coin, there are people and organisations who are trying to safeguard the interests of the people affected,the number of whom has been on an all-time increase. Not only the NGOs, but the states are also trying to do their bit. Kerala became the first Indian state on august12,2008; to reserve a government job for HIV positive candidates, marking a new sensitivity for those afflicted with the killer virus.
The Kerala State Aids Control Society(KSACS) announced that it had reserved a vacancy in its office for HIV positive candidates with a hope that the presence of such a person will improve coordination and communication with groups at risk and ensure effective prevention.
They have issued advertisements inviting applications for the post of coordinator, People Living With HIV/AIDS (PLHA), only from candidates who are HIV positive. Earlier, they had set this as a desirable factor and then they decided to change it to an essential one.
Kerala now has drop-in-centres which work to facilitate grouping or association of people with HIV/AIDS. "The belief is that when they come together, they would get to share their problems and it would be a great relaxing factor." says Usha Titus, KSACS project director and special secretary, health.
Hopefully this a reservation which will not drag in the unceasing debate of merits and fairness.
Friday, August 15, 2008
INDEPENDENCE DAY FOR ME
Today we're commemorating 61 years of our independence. today i feel proud to be an indian, its not that i dont feel the same the rest days of the year, its just that the pride and patriotism conspicuously resurface on 15 august and 26 january, and i'm sure it happens to every indian. as i was saying, i feel proud to be an indian, i feel proud to have been born in the free india ,i feel fortunate for not having experienced or witnessed the british atrocities as my forefathers did.
People unitedly sacrificing something as valuable as their lives toward one common goal of independence baffles me. today i salute the courage and the sacrifice of all the freedom fighters, all the martyrs and all the people who continue to bestow their lives for the service of the nation.
i feel proud and i feel ashamed, ashamed of being the way i am, ashamed because i continue to take the independence days and republic days just like two other holidays, because i do nothing to give my feelings of pride and patriotism a way to manifest themselves, because i continue to take my freedom for granted, maybe unconsciously, but i do.
Independence day for me is the celebration of the indian solidarity and our unity in diversity. its unfortunate that each time it takes a movie or a television program to remind us the same. But, i appreciate the endeavours of their makers for keeping the spark of patriotism ignited in our hearts.
Each year on the independence day, the prime minister of india hoists the national flag at red fort.If i had been the prime minister of india, apart from hoisting the flag at the red fort, i would have have done something else to celebrate the day. i would have at least made an effort to personally meet the families of the freedom fighters and martyrs, maybe through a gathering, and thank them on behalf of the whole country and also ensure them regular pensions. this is the least i can do to them their due acknowledgement.
People unitedly sacrificing something as valuable as their lives toward one common goal of independence baffles me. today i salute the courage and the sacrifice of all the freedom fighters, all the martyrs and all the people who continue to bestow their lives for the service of the nation.
i feel proud and i feel ashamed, ashamed of being the way i am, ashamed because i continue to take the independence days and republic days just like two other holidays, because i do nothing to give my feelings of pride and patriotism a way to manifest themselves, because i continue to take my freedom for granted, maybe unconsciously, but i do.
Independence day for me is the celebration of the indian solidarity and our unity in diversity. its unfortunate that each time it takes a movie or a television program to remind us the same. But, i appreciate the endeavours of their makers for keeping the spark of patriotism ignited in our hearts.
Each year on the independence day, the prime minister of india hoists the national flag at red fort.If i had been the prime minister of india, apart from hoisting the flag at the red fort, i would have have done something else to celebrate the day. i would have at least made an effort to personally meet the families of the freedom fighters and martyrs, maybe through a gathering, and thank them on behalf of the whole country and also ensure them regular pensions. this is the least i can do to them their due acknowledgement.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
KALYANI -benedictions from the goddess
"Are there any takers of development programs/news?"
This has been THE favourite counter argument of most of the media professionals i have come across, whenever the issue of limited coverage of development news was raised before them. each time going back to the demand and supply concept {that the media supplies what we demand} they hushed the overenthusiastic DU students,though, knowing the fact that supply creates its own demand.
For example: Kalyani, a joint initiative of The Development Communication Division, Doordarshan and the Union ministry of heath and family welfare, is a health series launched in the nine most populous states of india in 2002. Since then it has been focussing on malaria, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, iodine deficiency, tobacco related and water borne diseases, leprosy, blindness control and food safety. a need based, participatory and entertaining program, kalyani has been the longest running development programme with about 3500 episodes.
When conceptualized, it was aimed at changing behaviour and facilitating social action regarding the major health issues in india. and over the past few years it has been successful in doing the same. in several districts of states where kalyani is telecasted, groups of women, inspired by the programme have undertaken the task of tackling illness and diseases in their villages. forming kalyani clubs they carry forward and implement kalyani's messages on health.
So far, 300 clubs, each with a membership of at least 25 women, have been formed in the 16 districts of Chhattisgarh.In 2006, four years after the club was started,in kunra village of raipur district in chattisgarh, the number of cases of diarrhea and malaria have declined. And more children are brought in for polio and other vaccinations regularly.
A mere development program,with a relatively better packaging,telecasted on a state run channel has been able to bring about such a drastic and dynamic change in hundreds of districts. this sure highlights the power of media. with power comes responsibility. for once if the non government channels think beyond the TRPs, and use their stockpiles of innovative ideas to bring about a social change, they will surely find the takers for it.
This has been THE favourite counter argument of most of the media professionals i have come across, whenever the issue of limited coverage of development news was raised before them. each time going back to the demand and supply concept {that the media supplies what we demand} they hushed the overenthusiastic DU students,though, knowing the fact that supply creates its own demand.
For example: Kalyani, a joint initiative of The Development Communication Division, Doordarshan and the Union ministry of heath and family welfare, is a health series launched in the nine most populous states of india in 2002. Since then it has been focussing on malaria, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, iodine deficiency, tobacco related and water borne diseases, leprosy, blindness control and food safety. a need based, participatory and entertaining program, kalyani has been the longest running development programme with about 3500 episodes.
When conceptualized, it was aimed at changing behaviour and facilitating social action regarding the major health issues in india. and over the past few years it has been successful in doing the same. in several districts of states where kalyani is telecasted, groups of women, inspired by the programme have undertaken the task of tackling illness and diseases in their villages. forming kalyani clubs they carry forward and implement kalyani's messages on health.
So far, 300 clubs, each with a membership of at least 25 women, have been formed in the 16 districts of Chhattisgarh.In 2006, four years after the club was started,in kunra village of raipur district in chattisgarh, the number of cases of diarrhea and malaria have declined. And more children are brought in for polio and other vaccinations regularly.
A mere development program,with a relatively better packaging,telecasted on a state run channel has been able to bring about such a drastic and dynamic change in hundreds of districts. this sure highlights the power of media. with power comes responsibility. for once if the non government channels think beyond the TRPs, and use their stockpiles of innovative ideas to bring about a social change, they will surely find the takers for it.
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